Great North Museum - Geological Models and Maps

The pre-eminent collection of geological models are those of Thomas Sopwith. Sopwith (1803-1879) was a cabinet maker who also had a career in engineering and surveying. He won the Telford Silver medal for his outstanding wooden geological models over 30 of which are held at the Hancock. Sopwith's firm also made furniture for the museum. There are also archival collections relating to Sopwith include drawings of his models.

Other miscellaneous geological collections include an original copy of the first published geological map of the UK, produced by William Smith in 1815 and a rare White Watson tablet, a representation in rocks of the strata of the Derbyshire Coal Field area.

For further information on specimens and species within the collection, please contact Sylvia Humphrey.